National Republican., 1887-04-14
TREATMENT OF IRELAND.
Engiand's Professions and How They
Are Carried Out.

II England would treat Ireland and The
Irish people as H. insists upon other coun-
tries acting toward their people, the Irish
would have no cause for complaint. The
English government ie, and always has been,
more bypocritical than any pharlsee who
broadened his phylacteries in prayer and
action and said: 81 am holier than thou"
For ages 1t has oppressed Ireland IL never
fails, when the opportunity offers, to rob and
oppress weaker country; 1t indulges on
every occasion In cruelty and oppression,
and then poses as an adviser Of other nations
to moderation. Here are some examples
of Its hypocrisy written by distinguished
Irishman in April, 1853, and published in
the American Cen of that date:
In 1S4s the Spanish government was In
the hands Of a party called the modera-
does, headed by the present Queen Isabella.
They had just obtained a triumph over a
very formidable party known as the pro.
gressistas, who were led by Don Carlos,
brother Of Ferdinand, the former king.
England favored this latter party, not on
account OF any sympathy with the liberal
principles, which they professed, but be.
cause she could obtain from them more
facilities for the introduction Of her manu-
cases OF revolution, many OF the leading
men Of the defeated party either fed or
were driven into exile by the triumphant
party. The English government imme-
diately recognized these men as "martyrs
in the cause of liberty" and Bulwer, then
minister to Spain, under Instructions from
Palmerston, the high priest of diplomacy,
writes to the Spanish government as fol.
lows:
oonpot hat oxnroer y,,, On ornost aasira tha,
her Catholic majesty's government may deem
1t eXpedient to return to the ordinary form of
government established In Spain without loss
OF time, convokiDg the cortez aud giving such.
explanations as may best destroy the i'npres
sions which have been created both within
and without this kingdom by the arrest and
apparent design Of deporting variety of cti-
zens (among whom are some of the most dis
tinguishtd members of congress- who have as
yet neither been tried for. nor accused OF, any
ofleDse,
Not only did the English government
thus intercede for the liberation of these
men, but Palmerston goes farther, aud 10
dispatch to Bulwer directs him to say to
the Queen of Spain that 1t would be wise
for her to strengthen the executive govern
ment by calling to her councils some Of
these men who had few months before
been engaged in a conspiracy against her
throne. So far did England, in 1913, pre-.
sumo upon "her sincere friendship for
felt in the welfare of Queen Isabella"
Another instance, equally In point, has
been given us by the present ministry OF
England. We allude to their intercsssou
| with the Duke of Tuscany for the liberia.
ton Of the madial. When we think of the
| noble spirit Of an O'Brian or a Mitchell
exiled from the land of its birth and its
| patience, which Lord John RUSSELL in his
letter to Bulwer, reminds the government of
| Europe that "they cannot escape the odium
| to themselves, and the sympathy for their
| victims, which attend upon the punishment
| of offenses Of apolitical character" Ills
| opinion, however, as the organ OF the
| British government, is not of less impor-
tanSe 1' 81 in sh.o3Sgi9g, how far ou, government
| will be justified In going, in behalf OF the
Irish prisoners, without reaching the prece-
| dents which have been established by Eng
| land herself.
| In the letter to which we have alluded,
Russell places the punishment OF religious
| and political offenses upon the same foot
ing. After reminding the Duke Of Tus.
cany that sit is now well understood that
the wasting of the body, the sinking Of the
spirits, the weakening Of the mind, are but
additions to the capital punishment which
long, close confinement too often involves"
he cautions him against ''the adherence
which result would excite in the civilized
| world" and in the concluding portion OF
his dispatch lays down the law as follows
AS this is q matter affecting Tuscan subject
MAY 6e aa II that heF m
her majesty's government has no right to
point out to a friendly sovereign the argli.
ments which have prevailed In the most civi.
lized nations against the ase OF the civil sword
for the punishment of religious lor politicall
opinions, entirely deny the truth Of such al
allegation; You are, therefore," he con.
IN lie t.N ppl Inc pfn D.,
speak in the most serious tone TO the minister
Of foreign aiiaiis, and to- lay before him al
the considerations stated in this dispatch.
You will do it in the most friendly tone, and
| take care to assure the government to which
you are accredited that none are more siucere
in Tuscany than the queen of Great Britain
1t may be said, though, that the inter
eession of our government will be fruitless,
and ought, therefore, not to be made. Not
at all. The man who is prompted by tha
emotions of generous heart to perform
an act of mercy or OF generosity does not
hesitate In his performance because he
| fears that the act may rot be followed by
the beneficial results which he desires
Whether our intercession be successful or
not, it will be demonstration Of our kind
feelings toward unfortunate Ireland, and
above all, 1t will, so far as we are con-
cerned, be placing the mark of our con
demnation upon the unnecessary AM
barbarous cruelty OF the English govern
ment In thus protecting "the wasting o
tine body, the sinking of the spirits, whict
a long and close confinement" alread,
inflicted upon these helpless victims of he
tyrannical power.
Whatever may be the result, however
we would say to the Irish adopted citizens
Be faithful, as you always have been, t
the institutions of your adopted country
While cherishing, In the inmost recesses o
your hearts, the sad and gloomy memorie
which belong to the oppressed land Of you
birth, look forward with hope and conf
dence to the increasing power and pros
penty of this home of your adoption. Bid
your time, and it may be that, in the ordi
nations of an all just Providence, the day I
not far distant when, on some future York
town or Saratoga, you will be able, Will
striking blow in defense Of the one wit
your own good, right arms, to redress tn
three centuries Of wrongs inflicted upol
| the other.